Sunday 28th January 2018
Hurricanes V Oxshott
What a lovely spring day, just perfect for a cup tie against
the giant killers Oxshott (having put both Premier 3rd place Burpham and
2nd place Abbey out of the Senior Cup). I don’t think the Large Leas
could have been any better to play on, in spite of the rain earlier in
the week and yesterday. Definitely an improvement from the mud bath of
last week!!
The first half saw the Hurricanes
playing confident possession football, recycling the ball through Ben A
in goal and knocking it around the pitch. But we didn’t have the
sharpness on the attack needed to break the deadlock. There were Finch
chances though, Ollie volley tipped over by the big keeper, blocked
shots around the penalty box, unchallenged crossed into the danger zone.
A succession of corners couldn’t be capitalised on either. Oxshott had
their chances too, quick on the break as we saw from last week’s muddy
game. The defensive work from Finch was excellent, out pacing the
strikers, calmly clearing or passing out of danger. Unfortunately Ben M
had to retire from the game early on with a possible pulled muscle in
his shoulder which was stopping him from running or moving his arm,
which was a shame as he was creating great opportunities from the left
wing. 0-0 half time.
Finch were quick on the start
after the restart, and their pressure deep in the Oxshott half won a
penalty (handball). A composed Ollie drilled the ball down the middle to
get on the score sheet. Finch were dominating the possession winning if
back in the midfield or back line and driving forwards on the attack. A
key defensive moment by Jacob quickly lead to a counter and through
ball from Callum to give Lewis the chance to squeeze the ball under the
approaching keeper. 2-0.
Oxshott kept their heads
and kept battling away but were pinned in for much of the play now.
Another attack started from good defensive work by Morgan worked the
ball up the field via Henry, left field cross from Lewis picked out
James, who slotted the ball home past the diving keeper. 3-0.
Whether
it was Oxshott rallying with the change in their keeper or the fresh
legged giant keeper going up front, or Finch sitting back with a 3 goal
lead, Oxshott were able to hit the mark with some good individual play.
3-1. And not long after that, they were able to get a long shot away
from outside the box into the bottom corner. 3-2
But
this game was not done, Finch turned it back on and pilled on the
pressure in response. Shots from the Hurricanes were either blocked or
saved before the final goal came from a Morgan flick into the 6 yd box
and Callum to tap in point blank.
4-2 final score!! And Finch go through to the Semi Finals of the Senior Cup on 18th March.
Today was all about the team and their performance and it was a great performance from all of the lads, well done!!
The Semi Final take place on the 18th March at Finch and will either be against Farnham Sharks or North Warnborough, so put the date in the diary and go and support this great team.
